Need some clarification... what's the difference between "Hispanic" and "Latino/a?"

[happykitten]

When is it appropriate to use "Hispanic," and when would it be better to use "Latino(a)" when referring to a person of a certain race/ethnicity?

How are Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Spaniards, Brasilians, etc. categorized? Elita, Isla, anyone?

Muchas gracias,
~kitten >^.^<

 

[LordMaul]

Post some pics of each of the above and I'll tell you.

 

[Jothaxe]

In my understanding, &quot;Hispanic&quot; refers to a latino/a that lives in the USA. Other than this the terms are synonomous.

BTW, latino/a basically refers to anyone whose origin is any country in the americas south of the USA.

 

[BoberFett]

Funny, I was wondering that same thing recently.

 

[bandXtrb]

You've got me. Dictionary.com shows them as synonymns.

I *think* Hispanic has to do with coming from a spanish speaking background, but can be any race...

As for Latino/a I am not sure.

Anybody else?

 

[Johnlee]

The Mexicans/Latinos/Chicanos where I'm from do not appreciate being called hispanic. It was a monicker placed on them by Americans. AFAIK.

 

[Talon]

http://home.att.net/~Alsosa/page2.htm

 

[Cyberian]

A friend of mine at work whose ancestors were from Spain would become livid if he were referrsd to as &quot;Hispanic&quot;!

Go configure!

 

[pulse8]

Talon's link seems to be the right one. They pretty much mean the same thing here in the US. I had trouble calling people Spanish, not Hispanic, when I was younger not realizing that people from Spain where Spanish. Now that I've wasted 15 seconds of your life, you may continue.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I'm not sure of the origins of the words, but I've always assumed that &quot;Hispanic&quot; refers to a person from the former Spanish colonies in the Americas.

Brazilians are not considered Hispanic, but they are considered &quot;Latino/a&quot;, since they are not of Spanish origin.

 

[WolverineGator]

I am 1/2 Hispanic (mommy from Honduras). I'm most comfortable calling myself Hispanic as opposed to latino. My understanding is latino refers to the Americas. Hispanic encompasses all spanish people.

An aside, there was never any confusion when I applied for financial aid. Hispanic/latino = more college money!

 

[DannyLove]

i personally dislike it when people refer to me as Hispanic.....for some reason, i just dont like that word. Everytime I fill out a application of some sort and only see this as an option for my background, I always select OTHER and fill in Mexican America. I dont know where the word Hispanic came into play.

My opinion in the word latin. Latin is like generalizing spanish speaking. thats what i presume

danny~!

 

[DannyLove]

<< The Mexicans/Latinos/Chicanos where I'm from do not appreciate being called hispanic. It was a monicker placed on them by Americans. AFAIK. >>

i think that is why i dont like being called that....i dunno

danny~! it just doesnt sound.....fitting...

 

[Carbo]

The Hispanics ride seven in a Cheby Impala, while the Latinos ride eight.

 

[DannyLove]

<< The Hispanics ride seven in a Cheby Impala, while the Latinos ride eight. >>



??????

danny~!

 

[kingink]

I am Mexican and I don't like being referred to as Hispanic because it directly implies the genocide and rape that occurred with that bastard Colon, among many others.
kingink

 

[StormRider]

I like latinas. That's all I have to say on the subject....

 

[kingink]

jackass doesn't know how to spell chevy.
kingink

 

[pulse8]

<< I like latinas. That's all I have to say on the subject.... >>



Me toooooooooo...

 

[Johnlee]

I call all my black, mexican-american, white, chinese, japanese friends homeboy. That way there is no problem...homeboy. Either that or playah. They like that one.

 

[Johnlee]

Latinas, by far, are the hottest women on the planet IMO.

 

[Jothaxe]

<< Latinas, by far, are the hottest women on the planet IMO. >>



I agree. Except asian!

 

[kingink]

Hmm, I like latinas also. I like most women, though. hehe. Especially if they are super smart, or as my g/f said &quot;wicked smart.&quot;

 

[DaejangNim]

i think cmin is right about spanish speaking = hispanic, according to a black panamanian i know, he says hes not Latino, but is Hispanic. Latino is just a racial group.

edit: jothax is right about asian women ^_-

 

[Jothaxe]

<< edit: jothax is right about asian women ^_- >>



hehe, glad to get some backup on this one